Homegrown: December 2011 calendar

Following are gardening and eco-events happening in Eastern Iowa in December 2011:

Thurs., Dec. 1, 6:30 p.m., Winter Bird Feeding at Prairiewoods. Do you want to attract beautiful red cardinals, showy woodpeckers and bright goldfinches to your snowy winter lawn? Come to Prairiewoods (120 East Boyson Road in Hiawatha) for Winter Bird Feeding. Join local bird expert and Audubon member Jim Durbin for an informative evening that's for the birds! Jim will teach you about various types of birdseed and the birds that they attract, as well as the best types of feeders. Prairiewoods Ecospirituality Coordinator Emy Sautter will discuss ways to decorate your outdoor trees for the season in a way that is not harmful to birds. The cost is $5. For more information or to register, contact Prairiewoods at 319-395-6700 or www.Prairiewoods.org.

 Thurs., Dec. 1, 7-9 p.m., Our New Climate Reality: A Call to Action. Independence Public Library, 805 1st St. E., Independence | directions – State Senator Rob Hogg is presenting “Our New Climate Reality – A Call To Action For Iowa,” at the Independence Public Library, 805 First St. East.  Admission is free.

  Sat., Dec. 3, 9 a.m. to noon, Nature's Noel, Indian Creek Nature Center, 6665 Otis Rd. SE. Centerpieces, wreaths and swags made with fresh greens; frozen soups and appetizers; vendors with various handmade wares; cookie dough and candy; and, live music combine to create a festive holiday event. Search for treasures in Noel's Attic, a new feature this year! This annual Guild fundraiser benefits the Nature Center.

 Sat., Dec. 3, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Alternative Gift Market, Gage Memorial Union, Coe College, Cedar Rapids. Instead of buying traditional gifts you can instead will donate money to non-profit organizations in honor of your loved ones. The Alternative Gift Market is a unique event that the entire family can enjoy: for kids who want to learn and share with needy children worldwide, for grandparents who enjoy giving caring gifts and for people who want to reach out toward a better global society with each gift they give. The gifts to choose from are all tax-deductible gifts of hope and new life. Projects are carried out by humanitarian and environmental agencies such as Pearl S. Buck International, Love Without Boundaries and Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, and your gifts support these projects. You can also purchase "thoughtful" products from Catherine's Comfortable Teas, Greater Gifts (formerly SERRV), and Fair Trade coffee, tea and chocolates. Learn more: http://www.agmcr.com

 Tues., Dec. 6, 6:30- 8 p.m., Iowa Clean Air Forum, Iowa City Public Library. Support Clean Air Iowa is announcing a public forum on air quality issues and proposed Environmental Protection Agency rules regulating toxic emissions from coal fired power plants. The forum is open to the public. The Obama administration is currently considering the EPA Toxics Rule or Utility MACT, mandated under the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Clean Air Act. The rules would eliminate 91% of toxins like mercury, arsenic, chromium, lead, formaldehyde, hydrogen chloride, hydrogen fluoride and other dioxins from smokestack emissions by 2015, fulfilling a requirement established by Congress in the 1990 amendments to the CAA to reduce emissions of hazardous air pollutants. We are asking attendees to visit http://iowacleanairforum.eventbrite.com/ to register.

 Wed., Dec 7, 10  a.m., REAL Walk: Armchair Adventure Exploring Bogs and Fens, Indian Creek Nature Center. REAL Walks are geared for those age 50 or better. Enjoy a warm beverage and a “tour”- featuring Bob & Linda Scarth's photography-of Iowa's unique geology that created bogs and fens. Discover the ecology of fens and the unusual plants that live there. Explore our lost local history of peat mining. M: $3, NM: $4.

 Thurs., Dec. 8, 8:30 am-4:30 pm 2011 Trees Forever Our Woodland Legacy Symposium Planning for People, Place & Profit.

Cedar Rapids Country Club $15 Trees Forever members/ $20 non-member (lunch included) CEU's Available

 Sat., Dec. 10, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Small Farm Planning 101 Workshop, Johnson Co ISU Extension, 3109 Old Highway 218 S.,  Iowa City. Come and join others like yourself who want to start or improve a business of growing and selling local food to consumers. Andy Larson, ISU Extension program specialist for small farm sustainability, and Dave Baker, ISU Beginning Farmer Center - Farm Transition Specialist,  will help you write and design a vision for your local food production business, inventory your resources and evaluate your next steps to becoming a successful local food producer. A panel of two veteran producers will be available to share their stories and dreams, offer suggestions, and answer your questions.

Sat., Dec. 10, 1 p.m., Are You Prepared for a Disaster?  Indian Creek Nature Center. Many of us are unprepared for a natural disaster that could shut down utilities, stores, roads, and other services. This program addresses how to prepare for such losses for at least a week. It will include emergency food preparation, storm protection, preventing home freeze-ups, and more. M: $6, NM: $8.

Sat., Dec. 10, 1-4 p.m., Green and Simple: Holiday Gifts for Kids to Make! Indian Creek Nature Center. The best gifts are handmade and created by excited children. Elementary-age students are invited to spend the afternoon creating personal holiday gifts for their families. We have fun, easy, exciting projects planned, including the wrapping paper! Be sure to wear old clothes. Register by 4 PM on Dec. 7; limited to the first 15 kids. M Child: $8; NM Child: $12.

Sat.  Dec. 10, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Full Moon Walk in the Early Winter Woods; Indian Creek Nature Center. Trees stand silhouetted in silver moonlight, moon shadows soften the trails and mysterious rustling and crunches stimulate your curiosity. The winter woods at night is a wonder-filled place to wander with a naturalist. Dress warmly and join us for a moonlit adventure. M: $3, NM: $4.

Tuesday, Dec. 13 or Friday, Dec. 16, 9:30-10:30 AM, Winter Birds. Indian Creek Nature Center. For preschoolers and parents. Find out which feathered friends are visiting the Nature Center and your neighborhood this winter. Learn the calls and colors of common birds and make a special treat to take home for your own backyard buddies. M Child: $4, NM Child: $5, Parents: Free.

Tues., Dec. 13, 6:30 p.m. Gourd Bird Houses at Prairiewoods.  Throughout history, gourds have been used for food, as storage containers and for decorative purposes. Come to Prairiewoods (120 East Boyson Road in Hiawatha) to learn to turn a gourd into a beautiful and functional bird house! Whether it's a gift for someone you love or simply a gift for the birds, join us for this fun and creative evening making bird houses out of gourds. The cost is $15, and gourds and supplies will be provided. Registration is required by December 9. For more information or to register, contact Prairiewoods at 319-395-6700 or www.Prairiewoods.org.

Thursday, Dec. 15-Saturday, Dec. 17, Holiday Book Fair, Indian Creek Nature Center.Attention last minute shoppers! The Book House brings a great selection of fascinating science and nature-themed books for children and adults just in time for the holidays! Find something for nearly everyone on your gift list! Shop during business hours: 9 AM-4 PM on Thursday and Friday and 10 AM-4 PM on Saturday. Shopping helps support Nature Center programs and activities. Free admission.

Sat., Dec. 17, 10-11 a.m., Winter Birds. For preschoolers and parents. See Dec. 13th entry for description and fees.

Sat., Dec. 17, 6 PM Solstice Celebration: Seasons of Change. Carl Bracken of Cedar Amateur Astronomers explores the science and cultural traditions of the Winter Solstice. Jointly sponsored by Prairiewoods, Linn County Conservation Board and ICNC. Location: Wickiup Hill Outdoor Learning Center. Donations accepted. Why does Earth have distinct seasons of weather and daylight hours? How did ancient societies keep track of Earth's rhythmic cycles? In this winter Solstice Celebration at Wickiup Hill (10260 Morris Hills Road in Toddville), Carl Bracken of the Cedar Amateur Astronomers will explore the primary mechanisms that drive the seasons we experience throughout the year. Once we have the modern understanding down, we will explore the significance ancient cultures placed on tracking annual changes and predicting each season. Weather permitting, members of the Cedar Amateur Astronomers will offer viewing through telescopes in the parking area just outside the nature center. Jupiter is well placed high in the night sky at this time of year, and we will have virtually no moon to interfere with some deep sky objects. Remember to dress warmly if the prediction is clear! Free-will donations will be accepted. This evening will be hosted by Prairiewoods, Linn County Conservation and Indian Creek Nature Center. For more information or to register, contact Wickiup Hill at 319-892-6485.

Sun., Dec. 18; Tues. Dec. 20 and Wed. Dec. 21. Snowshoe Building Class. This winter Linn County Conservation will again offer the opportunity to build a pair of traditional snowshoes. Conservation Education Specialist Chuck Ungs will guide participants through the snowshoe building process. Those who have taken the class in the past have been very pleased with the finished shoes and have enjoyed the class. These sets would make a unique gift, functional tools or can be used as a grand decoration. Participants should plan to attend the evening sessions on Sunday, December 18; Tuesday, December 20; and Wednesday, December 21. These evening classes will start at 7 p.m. and end at 10 p.m. at Wickiup Hill Learning Center near Toddville. With some time invested at home, kits can be completed around the New Year holiday. Additional evenings will be needed to varnish the shoes in the evenings at the Conservation Department shop near the headquarter office (1890 County Home Rd) in the week following construction. For best results, two or three of these evenings will be required to varnish the shoes properly. Participants must pre-register and pay by December 13, so kits can be ordered. The $165 class fee includes the cost of a snowshoe kit, a binding set and varnish for each participant. To pre-register or for more details and options, visit www.linncountyparks.com.

Tues.,  Dec. 27, 2 PM GPS Fun in the Snow, Indian Creek Nature Center. No matter the season, a geocache hunt is an exciting family outdoor activity. Learn how to use a GPS unit while discovering the fun outdoor sport of geocaching. A geocache is hidden treasure you find using a high-tech GPS unit. Bring your own unit or call to reserve one of ours. M Adult: $5, NM Adult: $8; Child: $2.

Wed.,  Dec. 28, 2 PM Iowa's Winter Birds, Indian Creek Nature Center. Some birds are year-around residents while others migrate to Iowa for the winter. Learn who's who, build a feeder from recycled materials, visit our bird blind, and walk to the Cedar River in search of eagles. Dress for the outdoors. M Adult: $4, NM Adult: $5, Child: $2.

Thurs., Dec. 29, 2 PM, Snowshoe Hike. A snowshoe hike is great winter exercise with the benefit of fresh air, beautiful scenery, and signs of wildlife to enjoy. Bring your own snowshoes or call to reserve a pair of ours. No snow? We'll hike instead. Enjoy a cup of hot cocoa after your outdoor adventure.M Adult: $4, NM Adult: $5, Child: $2.